Free 3D Programs "To which to learn with"

[gmd3d]

Every now and then someone asks what? Programs are there to make 3D Models and Renders ETC.. mostly by reformed Lurkers who have taken the
chance to come out and ask.

Here, There are users of different 3D Programs.

Some are at cost and others are free..

Here we will list these free ones! or Shareware ..

Some I have tried and some not.

If you locate another Program's post them here in the following Post and I will add to the list for ease of use.

Not only tool for 3d will be added here but other useful Tools

[gmd3d]

DesignWorkshop Lite
http://www.artifice.com/dw_lite.html
DesignWorkshop Lite is a simple to use 3D program.

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PovRay
http://www.povray.org/
PovRay is a free ray tracing program.

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FreeCAD
http://www.askoh.com
freeCAD is a 3D CAD program with moving simulation. It looks like a
very good way to learn the basics of this type of program.

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3D Canvas
http://www.amabilis.com/
3D Canvas is a free 3D modelling package. Tutorials available too.

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Anim8or
http://www.anim8or.com/main/index.html
Anim8or is a 3D modeling and character animation program

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Terrain Texture Generator
www.insanesoftware.de
Terrain Texture Generator is a small toy for those who like to create interesting shapes from images.

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PlantStudio
http://www.kurtz-fernhout.com/PlantStudio/index.htm
PlantStudio is freeware for creating plants, (non woody) of all types for your projects.

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Behemot Editor
http://www.behemot.com/
Behemot Editor is a graphics program which allows to model and render 3D objects and scenes.
(Note: there is not much help with this)

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ZPaint
http://www.steffengerlach.de/freeware/
ZPaint is a program for making 3D objects easily. Looks like fun.

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Caligari's TrueSpace
http://www.caligari.com
http://cart1.caligari.com/web/Truespacemainreg.aspx
This is the page for getting the free version of Caligari's TrueSpace 3D program. There are tutorials here also.

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Blender
http://www.blender3d.org/
Blender, the open source software for 3D modeling, animation, rendering, post-production, interactive creation and playback. Available for Windows, Linux, Irix, Sun Solaris, FreeBSD or Mac OS X.
Current version of is Blender 2.64a

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Terragen™

http://www.planetside.co.uk
Terragen™ is capable of photorealistic results for professional landscape visualisation, special effects, art and recreation.

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Wings 3D
http://www.wings3d.com/
Wings 3D is an open source box modeling (one of the easiest forms of 3D modeling) subdivision modeler that is quite powerful and has a lot of great features.

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Kerkythea
http://www.kerkythea.net/joomla/
Though not a modeling program, Kerkythea is a free and powerful rendering program that comes in handy if you're using a freeware program like Wings, that has a powerful modeling engine but lacks in the rendering area.

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rendersoftwarelinks
http://www.mega-tex.nl/links/rendersoftwarelinks.php
On this site you´ll also find free-textures, free-3dgraphic-programms and free-3ds-meshes.

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DAZ Studio
http://www.daz3d.com/products/daz-st...-is-daz-studio
DAZ Studio is a software application released by DAZ 3D Inc. It is compatible with most files intended for use in the Poser human animation application. It is available free of charge (registration required). Version 1.0 was released in Fall 2005. Version 2.2 is the current release as of June 2008. Until version 1.7 it was officially known as DAZ|Studio, which is still used by many users of the program.

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GMax
Introducing GameFlood, the premier destination for artists, modders, mapmakers, and gamers to create, customize, and play third-party game content. With our powerful, free project and team management tools, you can get your ideas out of your head and into gamers' hands more quickly and easily than ever before.
http://www.turbosquid.com/gmax

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doga
DoGA project started in 1985 by university students in Japan, to support the newly born culture of CG animation.
"CG animation is a efficient way to approach visual creation and is also a lot of fun.
But the technology is so complex that it needs to be simplified and be brought down to a reasonable price for everyone."
That was the belief the students had.
While they were creating CG animation of their own. Research and development of a new CG tool kit began.
http://www.doga.co.jp/english/software/index.html

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bryce5
For over a decade, artists of all mediums - print, video, multimedia or the web - have known Bryce, the affordable 3D software for achieving breathtakingly realistic imagery.
http://www.download.com/Bryce/3000-6677_4-10696716.html
http://www.bryce5.com/

Vue 7 Pioneer
Vue 7 Pioneer The download is approximately 350 MB and includes 32 and 64-bit Windows versions and Universal Mac builds. In order to be able to use the product, you will have to create a Cornucopia3D account (if you don't already have one).

Vue 7 Pioneer currently only exists in English. German, French and Japanese versions will follow.
http://www.cornucopia3d.com/products/vue/vue_7_pioneer/
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amapi-3d
http://www.renderosity.com/mod/subco...nity/amapi-3d/
Tut link : http://www.staigerland.com/amapi/tutorials.html
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sculptris
http://www.pixologic.com/sculptris/
Sculptris is an elegant, powerful and yet easy to use 3D sculpting software, allowing the artist in you to simply focus on creating amazing 3D artwork.
Note: Registration required.
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faces
http://www.relativitybook.com/CoolStuff/faces.html
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[evil_genius_180]

Good idea for a thread, Ger. It's good to have a list of these readily available for anyone who needs them. There are even a couple on your list I didn't know about. If anybody else knows any, please feel free to share.

http://www.wings3d.com/
Wings 3D is an open source box modeling (one of the easiest forms of 3D modeling) subdivision modeler that is quite powerful and has a lot of great features.

http://www.kerkythea.net/joomla/
Though not a modeling program, Kerkythea is a free and powerful rendering program that comes in handy if you're using a freeware program like Wings, that has a powerful modeling engine but lacks in the rendering area.

[ulimann644]

Very good idea for people who can´t or won´t sell for expensive render-software. Here is another link I´ve found some month ago with links of free render-software.

http://www.mega-tex.nl/links/rendersoftwarelinks.php
On this site you´ll also find free-textures, free-3dgraphic-programms and free-3ds-meshes.

[gmd3d]

Thanks Guys .. I thought it would be handy to have it availible for prospective newbee's to the craft

I have taken the liberty too add the links and infomation to the main Links I posted toi keep altogether ..

I will keep adding any new links we come across.,

Also, while its not not a modeling program - Daz Studio (D|S) is one of best free rendering programs I've come across. Not only does the company constantly update and upgrade this program, they also have tons of really nice free meshes to get you started.

D|S is the program I was using that got me to pony up the dough and buy Carrara.

http://www.daz3d.com/i/software/studio?_m=d

[gmd3d]

Nice addition .. I will add it to the main links. I must have a look at that prog sometime ..

Also If anyone finds a broken links, PM me and I will remove them

I also started off using Daz studio. Its a good program to learn 3d art with.

[gmd3d]

I have found 2 links dead.. they have been removed .. and one Wings3d that I am not been able to connect. but I have left that there....

and I have highlighted the progs for ease for use

This won't fit into the definition of shareware or free software (so pardon for the slightly divergent post), but Silo is a fairly inexpensive, yet powerful modeling program that someone can get started with.

http://www.nevercenter.com/

Once again, not really free. You can use all the features during a 30-day trial, then you gotta pay to play beyond then.

[gmd3d]

No that's ok .. It can stay ..

maybe I should open a new thread for the non free one that offer free trials too ... I'll look into that tomorrow.. and start look at them

Oh welcome aboard mcmiller

[Darrell Lawrence]

Don't forget the Lightwave free trial as well. LW 9.5:

http://www.newtek.com/lightwave/lwtrial/

I think this is a great idea Taranis.

If we're talking about apps that have free trial periods, don't forget about Rhino3D. It's a great NURBS modeller with some really funky interfacing options to CAD/CAM machines etc to flesh your designs out in the real world.

http://www.rhino3d.com/

UA

[evil_genius_180]

Free trials are a good suggestion for people starting out in 3D. That way, they can try demo versions of expensive software (or not-so-expensive, in the case of Silo) to know if they want to spend the money on the full version.

[gmd3d]

Great suggestions. I work on that today and start the thread..

Carrara Pro 6 has a 30 day demo available also. While it's not one of the programs people usually think of when talking about CG, it's one powerful app. Don't take my word for it - go have a look.

http://www.daz3d.com/i/software/carrara/default?_m=d&

[gmd3d]

I am creating a new thread for these programs now .. I will move the links there when ready.

[gmd3d]

The new thread is ready all non free programs are to be posted there ... Thanks for your help lads

http://www.3dgladiators.net/forums/s...d=1#post255993

[gmd3d]

Blender News
Blender 2.48 released
October 14, 2008

Blender 2.48 includes all the work done on the Blender Game Engine and the Apricot Open Game "Yo Frankie!", with much better functioning game logic editing, character animation, and Blender Material based real-time shaders. And as last minute surprise a Bullet physics update with Softbody support.

We also included a lot of new development in this release; Windows 64 bits support, Grease Pencil for sketching annotations, Sun/Sky/Atmosphere rendering, new modifiers, and an improved text editor with Python API support.

[evil_genius_180]

I downloaded Blender 2.48 last night but I haven't installed it yet. Fortunately, that's a small program to download, since they update it about once a month.

How about GMax?
It's sort of the 'little brother' to 3DsMax. I used it back when I first cut my CG teeth and it was pretty good. I just took a look and it's no longer supported by either Discreet or Autodesk but I did find a working download link. In it's time GMax was used by a lot of people who were making custom skins and other things for their games. For a beginner looking to get into MAX this program is a pretty good place to start. Also, modeling with it is very simple stuff.

http://www.turbosquid.com/gmax

[gmd3d]

Added .. I was going to look for the link today .. you saved me the time

Originally Posted by Taranis

Added .. I was going to look for the link today .. you saved me the time

Happy to help.
It was a bit of a trick to find it.
Since it's no longer supported I had to look through a few sites.
I had one site but I got a bad feeling about it as I've never been to it before and I don't want anybody to download something that could have 'someting extra' attached to it. Then it hit me - TurboSquid.com has tons of MAX goodies and as luck would have it they're still hosting the file. I've purchased meshes from them before and they're a 'safe' site to download an exe file from.

Hmm, you've given me an idea Fretslayer. Teranis, if we start providing you with links do you feel like setting up a couple of lists like this for free and commercial mesh, texture and related 3D assets sites?

UA

[gmd3d]

It will have to checked with warrior, on the Models commercial side. I don't see a problem.

My orignal thinking was for the free Programs to have a single thread to reference and
encourage people new to modelling or interested in it. to join up and start a model or Render a picture.

3D asset sites. Models, Textures, Plugins would go with that. I know I am always lookingfor a neat plugin for LW.. and there are some sweet ones out there.

so I'll wait until warrior or any of the big cheeses give a go on the commercial side..

Gotcha. No problem, i'll keep an eye on this thread and if they give us the go-ahead i'll start feeding you with links.

UA

[gmd3d]

Cool . I will possibly create a new thread for that and you can post there.. I'll let you know when..

Thanks for the help .. there are a number of website for learning programs .. these could be included..

http://www.doga.co.jp/english/software/index.html

Free if you are content with the "locked" version that only allows still renders. ~$40 if you want the full version.

NOT a "geometry up" program...it uses a parts box of pre-generated shapes and textures. Still, it's easy enough to use and good for the "causal" modeller who doesn't mind that he's not going to get ZOIC or ILM quality results.

[gmd3d]

That's an interesting one .. I will added it to the top list

Originally Posted by Taranis

That's an interesting one .. I will added it to the top list

If you want to see an example of it's output, check out my "Rag tag fleet" thread I just started...

Forgot to add, the version you want for the most parts, textures, etc is L3...